NEA Economic Recovery Grants Announced (July 8, 2009)

NEA Support Saves Jobs

Washington, D.C. - Federal grants to 65 orchestras will preserve jobs in communities nationwide, thanks to orchestra awards totaling $2.65 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, announced yesterday by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

"America's orchestras fuel local economies, attract new business development, spark the imaginations of young people, and, through the power of music, unite individuals and cultures in times of challenge as well as celebration," said League of American Orchestras President and CEO Jesse Rosen. "These stimulus funds will enable orchestras to continue making meaningful contributions to community cultural life while helping to stabilize their local economies."

Orchestras across the United States will use federal funds to preserve full and part-time administrative and artistic positions that were in jeopardy of being eliminated due to the struggling economy. A complete list of direct NEA grants to orchestras is listed below.

The NEA acted swiftly upon Congressional and Presidential approval of $50 million in economic stimulus funding in late February. It is one of the first federal agencies to disseminate stimulus funding in support of local economies.

The arts industry generates millions of jobs and is an essential contributor to the economic and cultural vitality of the United States. In response to the stimulus grant opportunity, more than 2,400 applications from arts organizations nationwide poured into the NEA seeking non-matching, one-time grants of $25,000 or $50,000 for projects that focus on job preservation. While the need for support far exceeds available federal resources, 631 arts organizations nationwide received NEA stimulus grants.

Orchestras that did not receive direct NEA stimulus grants may be eligible to apply for support from state and regional arts agencies that have received NEA stimulus funding. The NEA has also announced the list of local arts agencies receiving stimulus funds, some of which will be making them available for re-granting purposes. The League will continue to keep you posted on this and other federal funding opportunities.

The League has compiled a list of orchestras and grants related to the orchestra field, below. Complete lists of grants to all organizations may be found on the NEA web site.

Please direct any related questions to Heather Noonan, Vice President for Advocacy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or Najean Lee, Government Affairs & Education Advocacy Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The League is a member of the Performing Arts Alliance, a coalition of national performing arts service organizations dedicated to advocating for national policies that recognize, enhance, and foster the contributions the performing arts make to America.